Top 10 Christian Philosophers (continued...)
Here are the final six:
5. Dallas Willard - Absolute master of the spiritual disciplines (e.g., solitude, fasting, prayer, study, silence) and simultaneously a master of philosophical issues in metaphysics and philosophy of religion. Students and those near him tell of his Christ-likeness and brilliance as a speaker. Has had a major impact on today's Church and his books will continue to do so well into the future. (Recommended books: The Divine Conspiracy, The Spirit of the Disciplines, Renovation of the Heart, see also his website http://www.dwillard.org/)
6. Alvin Plantinga - Perhaps the most heralded Christian philosopher in the secular academy today. Revolutionized the area of religious epistemology with this "Aquinas/Calvin" model of warranted Christian belief. He's also a giant in metaphysics, philosophy of religion, and virtually any other area of philosophy he touches. See his interesting work on the problem of evil and problems with evolutionary naturalism. (Recommended books: The Nature of Necessity, Warranted Christian Belief, Naturalism Defeated?)
7. Stephen T. Davis - One of the most clever philosophers of religion working today. Has done fine work in the logic of theistic arguments, the nature and defense of Jesus's Resurrection, and the divine attributes. Writes with an easy yet attractive style that makes you wish to read more. (Recommended books: God, Reason, and Theistic Proofs, Christian Philosophical Theology, Risen Indeed)
8. William Dembski - Perhaps the key player in the ID/evolution debate today. His arguments for biological intelligent design are the finest extant and he continually challenges the Darwinists on their own ground. He's done the most in the ID movement in providing mathematical, philosophical foundations to ID theories. He's also well-versed in philosophical theology and philosophy of religion. (Recommended books: No Free Lunch, Intelligent Design, The Design of Life)
9. Norman Geisler - Perhaps the most prolific writer among all Christian philosopers today. He's written probably around 50 books, including an entire encyclopedia of Christian apologetics. At his best when discussing and defending biblical theology. Has also done fine work on theistic arguments and the Resurrection. A total bulldog who has debated some of the best anti-Christian scholars in the world. (Recommended books: The Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, Christian Apologetics, Philosophy of Religion, The Battle for the Resurrection)
10. R. Douglas Geivett - Great philosopher of religion, who's also very accomplished in the area of epistemology. Some of his top writings have been on the problem of evil and suffering. He's developed a theistic argument from evil (a form of design argument) that is insightful and powerful. Eminent speaker and debater. (Recommended books: Evil and the Evidence for God, In Defense of Miracles)
5. Dallas Willard - Absolute master of the spiritual disciplines (e.g., solitude, fasting, prayer, study, silence) and simultaneously a master of philosophical issues in metaphysics and philosophy of religion. Students and those near him tell of his Christ-likeness and brilliance as a speaker. Has had a major impact on today's Church and his books will continue to do so well into the future. (Recommended books: The Divine Conspiracy, The Spirit of the Disciplines, Renovation of the Heart, see also his website http://www.dwillard.org/)
6. Alvin Plantinga - Perhaps the most heralded Christian philosopher in the secular academy today. Revolutionized the area of religious epistemology with this "Aquinas/Calvin" model of warranted Christian belief. He's also a giant in metaphysics, philosophy of religion, and virtually any other area of philosophy he touches. See his interesting work on the problem of evil and problems with evolutionary naturalism. (Recommended books: The Nature of Necessity, Warranted Christian Belief, Naturalism Defeated?)
7. Stephen T. Davis - One of the most clever philosophers of religion working today. Has done fine work in the logic of theistic arguments, the nature and defense of Jesus's Resurrection, and the divine attributes. Writes with an easy yet attractive style that makes you wish to read more. (Recommended books: God, Reason, and Theistic Proofs, Christian Philosophical Theology, Risen Indeed)
8. William Dembski - Perhaps the key player in the ID/evolution debate today. His arguments for biological intelligent design are the finest extant and he continually challenges the Darwinists on their own ground. He's done the most in the ID movement in providing mathematical, philosophical foundations to ID theories. He's also well-versed in philosophical theology and philosophy of religion. (Recommended books: No Free Lunch, Intelligent Design, The Design of Life)
9. Norman Geisler - Perhaps the most prolific writer among all Christian philosopers today. He's written probably around 50 books, including an entire encyclopedia of Christian apologetics. At his best when discussing and defending biblical theology. Has also done fine work on theistic arguments and the Resurrection. A total bulldog who has debated some of the best anti-Christian scholars in the world. (Recommended books: The Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, Christian Apologetics, Philosophy of Religion, The Battle for the Resurrection)
10. R. Douglas Geivett - Great philosopher of religion, who's also very accomplished in the area of epistemology. Some of his top writings have been on the problem of evil and suffering. He's developed a theistic argument from evil (a form of design argument) that is insightful and powerful. Eminent speaker and debater. (Recommended books: Evil and the Evidence for God, In Defense of Miracles)
posted by Tom Wanchick at 10:02 PM
6 Comments:
I Would Put a bid in for Ravi Zacharias
I don't really consider Zacharias a true philosopher, as he never really earned a Phd. in the field.
Of course, a Phd. isn't necessary to be considered a real philosopher (Socrates and Plato, for instance, didn't have them). But I don't think Zacharias has any other philosophical credentials to put him over the hump in this regard.
He is a great apologist, though.
That's Fair. He is a great apoligist, that's true. I do like your list very much though, Gary Habermas being my personal favorite, as I am a historian.
How about Paul K. Moser?
Can you explain your distinction between philosopher and apologist, please?
I am familiar with most of those you listed in your top 10 (and they are all truly masters), but do you know of a more comprehensive list? Maybe a list of the top 100 or so? Or just a list that attempts to list any known Christian philosophers that are working in the field today? I know many have noted the resurgence (I don't know if that's the right word, since I don't know if Christian Philosophy truly existed in the university before) of Christian Philosophy since the 60s, but has anybody done any statistical analysis of this trend? e.g. what percentage of philosophers are Christian? Which way is the trend going? How many recent graduates are Christian? etc.
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